About the Artist
Kate Bentley began her artistic journey as a sculptor and theatre designer but transitioned to a full-time professional painter by 1999. Her work is deeply influenced by her surroundings and the landscape, reflecting her identity as a “painter of life.” Bentley’s art is heavily informed by en plein air sessions and life drawing, which serve as the foundation for her narrative paintings.
Her narrative pieces are a product of her appreciation for the human form, patterns, chiaroscuro, and theatrical elements. These works are born in the studio, where she engages in mark-making, revisiting studies, and reworking older pieces through extensive experimentation. This process allows themes to emerge naturally, often mirroring her life experiences, both past and present. Bentley’s fascination with mark-making, layering, and textures drives her continuous exploration and innovation in her work. Her narrative art evolves organically, capturing the essence of human experience and the beauty of the natural world around her.
